Strange to say, my third class (by name) is my best class in arithmetic, and the best scholar in this class is the smallest, and probably the youngest—not thirteen, perhaps. This same class is very good in geography, and, indeed, as a class, good in all their studies. My class in composition, for three months, have been endeavoring to understand the theory of composition, and now they are writing, or learning to write, essays according to the theory which they have learned. A few in the class compose very well already. In nearly all of my classes, strange to say, the dark pupils are the ones that stand at the head. In composition, good morals, geography, reading, grammar, writing, the leading scholars are dark—dark in color, but bright in intellect. I think it must be acknowledged that color has no influence over mind. I have several grown men, who have left their farms in the country that they may attend school and receive instruction, which they may impart to others. They are getting along fairly. When I asked my scholars what I should write concerning them, they said, with one accord, “The truth, and nothing but the truth;” and I think I have done just as they said. Clouds still hang over me, but they are not so dark as they were some months ago. * * * * * ALABAMA. Dedication of Emerson Institute. MR. B. F. KOONS, PRINCIPAL, MOBILE. Since the burning of Emerson Institute in 1876, our school has passed through some very dark clouds of discouragement. All of last year, and the first four months of this, it occupied an old store, very poorly fitted for school purposes. In December last, the A. M. A. purchased property known as Holly’s Garden, located near the centre of the city. There are nearly three and three-quarter acres of ground, covered by over one hundred beautiful live oak, cedar, and various other trees, and near the centre of the lot is located quite a comfortable and commodious frame dwelling. Into this we moved the school in January, and have since occupied three rooms, some sixteen by eighteen feet square. In these, we have accommodated about one hundred pupils.